“You can't make any sense out of this” - Ex-Indian keeper lashes out at Rishabh Pant for his reckless batting approach

Former Indian keeper-batter and commentator Saba Karim has lashed out at the Indian stand-in captain Rishabh Pant for his batting approach on Day 3 of the ongoing second and final Test against South Africa at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, in Guwahati.

Speaking exclusively on ESPNCricinfo, Karim emphasised that as a captain of the team, Pant should’ve shouldered more responsibility by absorbing the pressure and taking blows. Furthermore, he also added that Pant should’ve spent some time at the crease before taking the aggressive approach. 

"You can't make any sense out of this. How do you explain this? It's very difficult. Maybe first time in his Test career, Rishabh Pant may not be able to explain this. This happened immediately after tea. You are the captain of the side, you need to shoulder some responsibility. You have got enough experience of playing at that level. So, you lead by example. You lead by absorbing pressure and taking blows," Saba Karim said on ESPNCricinfo.

In response to South Africa’s 489-run total in the first innings, Pant, in the 38th over, played a huge slog and all he could manage was nicking the ball to the keeper, losing his wicket for seven runs off eight balls after wasting a review.

"All that was missing in Rishabh Pant's approach. I can understand you have to play your natural game, but you can do so by spending some time at the crease. Playing such high-risk shots at that stage of the game pushes your entire team into a corner. Now, India have found themselves in such a difficult position. It will be very difficult for them to get out of it," he concluded.

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